All eyes are on the office sector as the country climbs out of the COVID-10 pandemic, and one thing appears certain: the physical office as we knew it is in for a dramatic makeover. 

A new JLL report about office fit outs notes that one-size-fits-all solutions are a thing of the past as office users test new models, modify existing programs, and prioritize flexibility and choice in their space planning considerations. It identifies three key trends driving the priorities of office occupiers: mobility and the new partially remote workforce, technology-centric design to support new ways of working, and a focus on wellness and sustainability that's integrated through office design.

More than half of corporate employers expect their people to work from home at least two days a week post-COVID, according to JLL research, and that means fewer companies will provide every employee with a permanent desk. Office design will thus emphasize custom collaboration and community spaces, JLL says in the report, with heads-down workspaces available on an as-needed basis.  From a cost perspective, this means the cost per square foot will generally be higher than a standard office with dedicated workspaces–but some employers may choose slightly smaller footprints since fewer employees will likely be onsite at any given time.

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